Many Albuquerque Public Schools teachers could see a small pay bump if the school board approves a new contract by Wednesday night. Additionally, fine arts teachers could get a substantial raise to compensate them for work outside scheduled hours.
The district’s Board of Education will consider the contract at its regular meeting on Wednesday. It is also the last day for Albuquerque Teachers Federation members to vote to ratify the pact.
The contract incorporates the 3% salary increase the New Mexico Legislature approved earlier this year. It also extends educator contracts by two days — to 190.
Two more paid days, plus the increase, would bring the average APS educator salary from about $65,000 annually to just above $67,000, ATF President Ellen Bernstein said.
The bargaining unit covers about 6,255 educators.
Bernstein said the proposed contract includes a substantial increase for fine arts teachers since it calls for them to receive a prorated amount of their base pay for each additional day of work. For a band director or assistant band director who conducts a two-week band camp, that would mean 10 more days of pay.
Bernstein said teachers have for years been conducting band camps without getting paid for it.
“They engage with the students during school, after school and during the summers,” she said, adding that fine arts teachers often coordinate with families and the community at large.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE:
WHEN: 5 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 7
WHERE: John Milne Community Board Room at district headquarters, 6400 Uptown Blvd.
VIRTUAL: the APS board’s YouTube channel
In a letter to members, she wrote that after more than a decade of stagnation, the union has successfully fought for differential pay increases for employee groups two years in a row.
“Last year, we successfully increased athletics differentials,” she wrote. “This year, we were able to address differentials for fine arts. We have not yet met our goal to increase all differentials. If your differential has not been increased recently, you are not forgotten.”
Bernstein said union representatives will be making their case in Santa Fe during the 2025 session for legislators to boost discretionary aid to schools.
“Lawmakers need to understand that adequately funding their mandates is important, but local discretionary funding is also important,” Bernstein said.
The meeting agenda also includes a closed-door executive session at which board members will consider making changes to Superintendent Gabriella Durán Blakey’s contract. A vote on any contract amendments would follow in open session.